Free concerts in Blue Back Square for all ages. Thursday night, 5-7:00pm.

By Joy Taylor

The summer wouldn’t be complete without melodies streaming up from the outdoor stage of Blue Back Square in West Hartford. The season kicked off on July 24 with The Shinolas. The audience was treated to danceable rock/country tunes by band members Jim Chapdelaine of West Hartford, Paul Kochanski on bass, Ed Iarusso on pedal steel, and special guests, including drummer Jon Peckman (in for Lorne Entress) and singer/guitarist Tim McDonald.

The band has a developed a local following since forming in 2009, and this was their third outdoor concert of the season. (You may have seen them at the opening night of Hill-Stead Museum’s Sunken Garden Poetry Festival on June 11, in Farmington, CT.)

As a bonus, Prudence Sloane, known as “The Dancing Chef” who is a TV chef, culinary educator and food journalist, surprised audience members as she and her dance partner and the other half of “The Dancing Duo” Joel Silvestro, cut the rug, so to speak, on the Blue Back Square dance floor. They even gave an impromptu dance lesson to interested adults and kids alike.

Blue Back Square was hoppin’ again on July 31st when Waterbury’s Timmy Maia brought his heartfelt R&B, soul and popular music to the stage. The children, and adults could hardly sit still during the 2 hour set. Timmy Maia and his band can be seen all over the state and they are available for private and corporate gigs or weddings and is certainly a gracious crowd pleaser.

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August 7 – Adam Ezra Group

The Adam Ezra Group (AEG) is not just a band; they are a force to be reckoned with musically, personally and socially. Not only are they talented musicians and songwriters they are also activists and community leaders.  AEG’s musical genre teeters somewhere between ballsy rock, and sensitive poetry.

August 14 – Beatles Forever

Beatles Forever features five talented musicians from Greater Hartford, Connecticut. They provide the spot on vocals and full instrumentation that captures every nuance of the Beatles’ classic hits. Their ability to engage any audience, combined with their note perfect reproductions, will set the atmosphere for fun and bring out the best at any gathering!

All events are subject to change and/or cancellation. Unless otherwise noted, events are held in The Square. Evening events held in The Square run from 7-9pm.